Last updated: August 1, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Karbala, Iraq is crucial for safeguarding your skin health against the sun’s intense rays. With the climate classified as BWh, locals and visitors alike face significant UV exposure risks, especially during the peak hours from 10 AM to 2 PM, when the UV Index can soar to levels of 10 or even 11. By recognizing and monitoring these UV levels, you can effectively prevent sunburn and long-term skin damage, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience under the sun. Stay informed and protect yourself as you embrace the beauty and warmth of Karbala!
During the day, the UV Index experiences a significant rise, peaking at 11 around noon, indicating a strong potential for skin damage without protection. The morning starts relatively mild, with values of 2 at 7:00 AM, gradually increasing to 8 by 10:00 AM. As the sun reaches its zenith, the index hits its highest point, 10, at 11:00 AM, before slightly declining to 10 again at 1:00 PM. The afternoon sees a gradual decrease, dropping to 6 by 3:00 PM and continuing down to 1 by 6:00 PM. It's essential to be mindful of UV exposure during the peak hours between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, when protective measures are crucial for skin health.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index displays distinct seasonal changes, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. From January to February, the UV Index rises from 4 (moderate) to 6 (high), with recommended burn times decreasing from 30 to 25 minutes. The most critical months are March through August, where the Index peaks at 12 in May and 11 in June and July, marking these months as having extreme exposure levels, with burn times as low as 10 minutes. August and September maintain a very high UV Index of 9, before dropping to 7 in October and decreasing to 5 and 4 during the winter months of November and December, respectively. For visitors and residents, it is vital to take extra precautions, especially during the high-risk months of March through August. This includes wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade to minimize skin damage from UV radiation.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mosul UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Erbil UVI | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Abu Ghurayb UVI | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Baghdad UVI | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Karbala | 4 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Basrah UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 |